The Ukrainian Air Force is already actively operating its new F-16 training simulator.

Pilots said that the simulator for F-16 is significantly different from the simulators for Soviet aircraft.

In one of the tactical aviation brigades, Ukrainian pilots are already practicing combat missions on the F-16 aircraft simulator.

Previously, the simulator service group had to deal only with aircraft equipment for Su and MiG aircraft, which are already outdated and often fail.

“They did everything possible: they repaired, modernized, modernized software, involved Ukrainian manufacturers. The oldest flight simulator trainers became donors to their slightly younger “colleagues,” said Dmytro, head of the simulator service group.

The vast majority of Ukrainian flight simulators have long since run out of service life.

Now the Ukrainian Air Force is analyzing technical capabilities in the search for effective, cost-effective solutions.

One of these is the transition to aircraft simulators using virtual or fixed reality, which gives the pilot a sense of the reality of flight, as well as a larger viewing angle.

“F-16 will soon enter service with our crews, so there is simply no other way out, like switching to new simulators,” the Ukrainian Air Force says.

Back in 2009, some aviation teams began to operate KTS-21M simulators for MiG-29, which were manufactured by the Ukrainian company MARKET-MATS.

State tests of the aircraft simulator were carried out in 2008 and fully confirmed its compliance with the tactical and technical task.

In 2008, the Ukrainian Air Force existed in conditions of limited fuel supply. The commissioning of the aircraft simulator significantly reduced material costs during the training of flight personnel.

F-16 Simulator

It became known in early May that the Czech Republic handed over the F-16 fighter simulator to the Ukrainian Air Force.

Dmytro said that it was a pleasure to compose a F-16 simulator: they persisted quickly and immediately began the first test launches.

“In the very first seconds of the “flight” on a full-fledged simulator, I realized that it was just sky and earth,” the head of the simulator maintenance group explained.

Modern simulators provide pilots with a realistic sensation of over-G forces, a vast selection of maps, modes, and scenarios, as well as the ability to practice using various weapons and simulate actions in freelance situations.

The officer added that dealing with the maintenance of such equipment is not a problem at all.

“I well remember simulators, the computer component of which took several dozen cabinets 15 meters in length, and what a gloom when something flies out in such a simulator. Serving a new simulator is a pleasure,” says Dmytro.

The Ukrainian Air Force added that in the near future, all tactical aviation brigades will staff such platforms.